Have We All Become the Same? The Hidden Cost of Blending In
Aleksandra Di Gesaro
Camera Confidence & Visibility Mentor | Helping purpose-driven women leaders elevate their personal brands with powerful visual storytelling and branding photography | Italy’s #1 Fine Art Photographer
"Here, Dinosaur, eat your pasta!"
That’s what my daughter shouted during playtime when my husband was pretending to be a hungry dinosaur trying to eat her little brother.
Bursting with laughter, I immediately thought, Only an Italian child could have said something like this.
That thought lingered in my subconscious. And then, while scrolling through LinkedIn, something clicked.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that all the posts looked and sounded the same: "Do this, don’t do that. I coach on this, I can teach you that."
Don’t get me wrong—there’s a lot of great content out there. But the more I scrolled, the more I realized I could no longer tell where people were from. Their stories, their visuals, their messages—it all blended into one global, polished, “safe” approach.
Even the photos seemed to follow the same trends. From Instagram feeds to website aesthetics, it’s easy to see how branding has become globalized. Everyone seems to follow the same formulas—neutral tones, minimalist aesthetics, and curated captions.
But what if the most successful brands aren’t the ones that blend in, but the ones that dare to stand out?
Are We Afraid to Show Who We Really Are?
Why do we so often try to blend in rather than stand out? Are we afraid that if we show who we really are—our quirks, our cultural influences, our personal essence—our audience won’t resonate with us? Or do we simply not love ourselves enough to embrace what makes us different?
Lately, I’ve been working with my wonderful client, Saraswati, who comes from India. If there’s one place known for originality, color, and vibrancy, it’s India.
We’ve been crafting the visual identity for her brand, and one thing I loved was her desire to integrate her Indian roots into her global business. Instead of following the common trend of Western-style branding, she embraced tradition while making it modern.
For instance, in one of our branding sessions, we captured her working in a traditional kurta with a dupatta. (Yes, I’ve learned these terms thanks to her!)
Before our shoot, I researched similar branding images for inspiration—and to my surprise, I found very few. There were either stunning images of women in traditional saris or corporate-style photos of Indian women in Western attire. But a mix of tradition and modernity? Almost nonexistent.
That’s when it hit me: Why is this so rare?
Saraswati’s vision was something fresh, authentic, and deeply connected to who she is. It wasn’t about following trends—it was about creating something meaningful and memorable. And that’s exactly what personal branding should be.
And she’s not alone. Think about personal brands like Marie Forleo—her Brooklyn accent and Italian-American roots shine through in her content. Or Jenna Kutcher, who leans into her Midwest charm and relatability. Their audiences don’t just follow them for their expertise but because of who they are.
The Smallest Details Make the Biggest Impact
When it comes to branding—whether it’s through visuals, messaging, or positioning—it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference.
I see this all the time when working with clients. A small shift in how they pose, a different angle of lighting, or even a subtle tweak in their outfit choice can completely change the energy they project in their photos. These details, though seemingly minor, have a huge impact on how their audience perceives them.
And the best part? These are things anyone can implement with a little guidance.
If you’re curious to see this in action, I’ve shared some behind-the-scenes notes from one of my client sessions (not Saraswati’s). You’ll get to see exactly what adjustments we made during the shoot and why they worked—many of which could apply to you, too. Sometimes, a simple tweak is all it takes to make your photos feel more like you.
How to Make Your Brand More You
So, how can we stop blending in and start incorporating our personality, heritage, and experiences into our brand stories?
This isn’t about waving a flag or forcing cultural elements into your business just for the sake of it. It’s about showcasing the unique elements that have shaped you—because those are the things that create true resonance with your ideal audience.
Try This Mini-Exercise:
Grab a piece of paper and write down three things that make your background unique. It could be the place you grew up, a tradition you love, or even a phrase you often use. Now, how could you weave that into your brand? Maybe it’s in your messaging, your visuals, or even the way you interact with clients.
The goal isn’t to force it—it’s to own it.
A Few Ways to Infuse More of You Into Your Brand:
I’m personally challenging myself to bring more of my own background—where I live, where I come from—into my brand. Because that has shaped who I am.
So, what’s one thing about your background that you’ve been hiding or downplaying in your brand?
What would happen if you embraced it instead?
I’d love to hear from you—what’s something unique about you that you want to bring more into your brand? Let’s chat in the comments!